The Ultimate Soccer Experience For Greeks

                

 

During the 2004 summer, my home country, Greece had the privilege to be the protagonist in two extremely important and prestigious events in the nation's sports history; the EURO 2004 Soccer Championship and the 2004 Olympic Games. In the EURO 2004 Soccer Championship, the National Soccer Team of Greece gained the title as the new European Soccer Championship and by hosting successfully the 2004 Olympic Games, has proven to the world that it can surpass even the wildest expectations of its critics.

When Theodoros Zagorakis, the Greek national soccer team captain, lifted the Cup of the EURO 2004 Championship, every Greek, all over the world, felt proud to belong to this nation. It is difficult to describe the overwhelming feeling everyone felt that night when the Greek soccer team managed to defeat the national Portuguese soccer team in their homeland, at the national stadium in Lisbon, with a single goal. That hot summer evening, every Greek, man or woman, child or elder, was viewing the most anticipated game in the Greek sports history. The strong heartbeat everyone felt that night was one of the most important moments in every Greek's life.

Soccer is still the beloved sport of Greece and with this unexpected result soccer has managed to overcome social obstacles of age, politics and gender, shaping a new game identity. Nothing similar has ever happened to Greeks. Nothing as powerful, as that single scream of joy, has ever in the contemporary Greek sports history, united so dynamically this nation. For days after this accomplishment, Greeks were still unable to believe the outcome of their national soccer team's efforts and everyone felt the need to celebrate again and again their enormous success. For many critics, extremely important, if not more than the players' efforts, was the presence of Mr. Otto Rehhagel, the German coach of the Greek national soccer team, who managed to become the most familiar and friendly face in the Greek public surpassing the fame and status of all of his Greek soccer colleagues. His management style, his personality and his persistence, became a new national anthem for Greeks, who have made his profile the modern icon for an ancient Greek god.

In this particular meaningful sport event, every Greek felt like their support was projected in the field and their presence felt by the players, influencing every result in the series of the games played, reaching its peak during the final. From the known myths of sports, the 12th man was the classic illusion that promoted the spectators' wishing, screaming and cheering. The eleven contemporary heroes of the Greek national soccer team extended Greece's political culture to its undiscovered limits and cultivated the publics' belief in the 'hidden star-quality' that could illuminate once again everyone's life, as long as opportunity evolves and timing is right. These eleven stars, won a distinct place in the hearts of every Greek, transforming themselves to role models, resembling to the fame and prestige of ancient warriors. From the battlefields of this European Soccer Championship, this team's perseverance, effort and consistency, played the most crucial role in the turnout. Thus, the Greeks will value every minute of those athletes' accomplishment, in many years to come.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Sports, Fitness, and Games

World Cup Soccer - Group A predictions for the World Cup Football tournament in Germany

                

 

World Cup group A places the home nation Germany against Costa Rica, Ecuador & Poland in a relatively easy group from which they should comfortably qualify.

Although the German team is not thought to be up to the standard of their previous victorious teams, bookmakers currently have them as joint second favourites behind Brazil, and they must be respected as possible winners on home soil.

It is difficult to see any of their three opponents being able to challenge them as Group A winners and it would appear that Costa Rica, Ecuador & Poland are competing for a chance to qualify in second spot.

History tells us that when the competition is played in Europe, the European nations tend to outperform the sides visiting from other continents. This coupled with Poland's impressive qualification from a difficult European qualifying stage must make the Poles most likely to progress along with the Germans. For the Poles, who will have an army of travelling supporters, the first game will be massively important, and a win over Ecuador in that game should ease their passage to the second stage.

Ecuador are a talented but temperamental outfit who must be respected, because on a good day they can match most national sides. Germany 2006 is only the second finals they have reached and they will be keen to add to their single victory from Japan 2002. Discipline may be a factor for Ecuador, and the strict refereeing of the Finals may not suit them.

Costa Rica will most probably be the groups whipping boys, first up for them is Germany in the tournament's opening game, a game they can't really expect to gain points from. Their second game against Ecuador will be the one that decides whether or not they can progress further in the Cup, and should provide good entertainment as both sides like to attack, sometimes at the detriment to their defensive duties.

It is difficult to see any other outcome than Germany topping Group A. Poland should take the second spot if successful in their first match versus Ecuador, but anything less than a win for them will give the edge to Ecuador. Costa Rica will probably sit at the foot of the table, unless they produce a couple of shocks...

Norbert Wartle is a soccer writer for Football England and will be covering the Fifa World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Norbert also covers the England Football Team matches.

Why Coach Soccer? And How To Have Fun.

                

 

 by: Richard Kerr-Bell

Warren Buffet might not know soccer, but when he said, "Tell me your heroes and I'll tell you how your life will end up", he was onto something.

When it comes to coaching, everyone wants a say but few are willing to turn their words into action and take a team even under 8s which is where yours truly started.

How can You enjoy coaching soccer? Let me count the ways:

1. Coach your kids and you get to spend more time with them at something you can help them have fun at AND enjoy mastering new skills.

2. Coaching young people of any age gives you the opportunity to have a massive and important influence on the future of your community and country! This is not just talk. Ask any adult who has played sport for a while and there is a good chance the had great people who were their coaches.

3. You will be remembered for all the right reasons and kids will copy your example. There are no less than 3 great coaches I remember until I left town at 17. Mr Nicolas (Fatherly man who really cared and It was much appreciate) Mr Edgar (fantastic accent I still havent mastered but he was fair and encouraging), and lastly Bobby Feed the Bear Mutter (A burly Scotsman whose belief in me propelled my confidence sky high, I can still hear him call, Whos the boss Richard? Show him whos the boss!

4. You get to develop skills in something you have a passion for and coaching soccer skills is full of challenge and rewards.

5. Get a life! No longer wandering the streets looking for something or sitting in front of the TV, rock up to your local soccer club or school and Im sure there will be opportunities to add a new dimension to your life and the lives of others.

6. Build contacts in your community and neighborhood. If you coach kids they have parents and they have lives too that may provide a way to help you with something in your life.

7. Leadership, responsibility, and commitment all have their own rewards and these are abundant when you coach soccer.

8. If you are a player in a club you get praise from members in the club, you get on the in with the other coaches in case you wanted to advance a career in this way, and you get some equipment to use whenever you want to improve your own game.

9. It will add to your attractiveness to employers as coaching soccer or any sport, shows the attributes above. These are easily re-worded to suit the job type. E.g. Active Member of my Community. It shows commitment, reliability, purpose, and that you can get out of bed in the morning.

10. Personal satisfaction. Winning your competition, one game, or having kept a bunch of people happy and off the streets. Plus you are involved doing what you love, Soccer (sport).

I once coached soccer at a local high school and these young boys (11 and 12 yrs) came to class with short black pen marked on the top of their wrists and hands What is that for?, I asked, Were Mr. Kerr-Bell they said! Never under estimate your power.

There are many coaching videos, courses (often run by your local Soccer Club), books and other coaches to help you. A good way to start is to support the coach, be a manager, or gear minder person and learn that way. Showing up to practices to help is also useful.

Coaching soccer is a full on commitment that reflects everything the Real Madrids and Manchester United coaches experience (except the money and chance off being replaced if you lose!)

So enjoy the rush of excitement and adrenaline that coaching gives on matchday

(PS. Look up soccer club directory online in the search box or thumb through your phonebook to find a club near you.)

Get out there coaching soccer and make a difference and remember, if you are there for the game or kids... you have already won.

By Richard Kerr-Bell

richlife@xtra.co.nz

www.training-soccer-expert.com

Richard Kerr-Bell has played soccer for 32 years and coached for 12. He currently coaches at the Academy of Sport for the Otago Polytechnic.

Rich@training-soccer-expert.com

Soccer Live Betting

                

 

 by: Winder Liao

Live betting is one of the main sources of income for the bookmaker why?

Well before the match starts there is always large publicity about the coming fixtures for Live matches. They are often 2 strong team facing each other and they are most likely to be telecast throughout the world. Why? It is because a lot of people likes to bet on sports that they are able to view live especially those recreation punters who gets real kick watching their favourites team play and also big-time soccer punters who bet 30K-50K per match. There is the jalan bet or live betting bet and the half-time bet which make it more interesting and more variety for punters to bet. These live matches are matches where the bookmakers makes lots of money through the vigourish and not forgetting fixed match.

Observations

How to you identify whether the match is fixed?

1.) During the match observe the 1st 10 mins if any team scores, the match it is mostly fixed. They will score at the most unimaginable timing like within 30 seconds or 3 mins are common signs.

2.) Pay attention to the speed of both team players. The team that will lose will tends to run slower than the other team. Another point to note is the team that is fixed to win they will fight with all their might to get to the ball and the one that is fixed to lose {note this also refers to team that gives ball but unable to cover the AH given} will miss even inches infront of the goal post. Sometimes the team that is fixed to lose will even score for the next team that is the own goal or they are extremely disorganised at the defence showing no effort in blocking the strikers attack.

3.) Not all footballers are great actors pay close attention to their body language, they will display great agonies while missing clear cut shots but their eyes are secretly laughing away some even had difficulty in controlling their facial expression ,occasionally they subconsciously look into the camera before diverting their eyes swiftly away.

4.) Coach odds decision to remove key players from the team substituting with a less superior player. Consider this why would a coach remove that particular key striker that has just scored the crucial goal and try to defend the 1 goal lead well within the early 50 or 60 mins.

5.) biased refeering decision. Legimate goals claimed as off-side, or clear penalty given as no foul are common signs. Giving unessary penalty to team that don't deserve it.

What to do when you know its fixed?

1.) Don't bet big when its livematches. Try to observe 1st before you bet then bet during the 2nd half as thats where the bookies tricks reveals itself.

2.) you need to master the art of odds decoding before you are capable of betting big.

3.) Don't fully trust what you see in the 1st half as what is obvious is often a trap.

4.) Do not doubt the odds, the odds posted are often set in a way to trap the average punters ,so try to mold your thinking like a bookie and you will see much clearer.

Best regards

Winder,Winder sports

http://www.geocities.com/winder21/winderexpertsoccerpicks.htm winder expert picks -Asian handicap specialist to european soccer fixtures.

http://www.windersports.com

winder sports portal -Your guide to winder's interest on sports : provides tips and techniques to improve your game.

winder21@yahoo.com

Lessons in Global Leadership: From the Soccer Field

                

 

Business leaders tasked with building international teams as part of their global expansion program should learn how its done on the soccer field. Where once national squads considered only domestic talent, many teams are increasingly becoming multinational. Even the captains are foreign. Here is an outsiders view on soccer and international leadership.

Zudig the Grand Master, is preparing his students for a years internship on planet Earth to learn about our ways. Todays lesson is about international leadership. Xandi, a bright but rebellious leadership student challenges Zudig. Eavesdropping on the conversation, we hear.

Xandi: Hmmm. So how do they celebrate winning?

Zudig: Oh, that half of the amphitheatre with the same colors as the man whos just put the leather globoid into the net, jump up and down, take off their top, jump on their heads, and wave arms about, make thrusting movements and then sit back down.

Xandi. What, just like those players in red and white have done?

Zudig. Thats right Xandi. Theyre from Zod.

Xandi. So why do they do that Zudig?

Zudig. Because the leader of the Zod team has successfully inspired them to score a win over Deng, the players in blue.

Xandi: Ah! I see. So the captain of the Zod team is that man over there, sitting down, not even playing hes the inspiration of it all?

Zudig:Thats right.

Xandi: But hes not even from Zod he has a Deng name! Why he is inspiring his players to play against the Dengs?

Zudig: Because that crowd over there with their faces painted the same color as the team from Zod have chosen him, and the players are happy to be led by such a leader.

Xandi: But the players are not even from Zod. Some are from Zupit, two are from Engis, three are from Bidu and the rest are from Midon!

Zudig: Yep. He has chosen his international team well, all experienced players who know the tactics of the other side. For that, he has rewarded them well, has inspired them to achieve great things, and knows they will deliver great results.

Xandi: OK, so let me get this. This crowd from Zod, who has just spend a whole day traveling to Midon, which is not even the home of the Dengs, have their faces painted, are jumping up and down, taking off their tops, jumping on their head, waving their arms about, making thrusting movements, are happy? And theyre happy because the team in red and white, who represent Zod, but are not from Zod but from Deng, Zupit, Engis, Bidu and Midon have kicked a leather globoid into a fishing net, have scored a win over the Dengs, - and all this is inspired by that man sitting down over there, who is not from Zod either, but from Deng, but is elected by the crowds with painted faces from Zod to represent them, because he is the man who can provide inspirational leadership to the men from Deng, Zupit, Engis, Bidu and Midon, who are very happy to play for Zod and score a win over Deng, because they have a great inspirational leader, and have been well motivated and rewarded?

Zudig: Uuuuuh! Yep, thats right. Its called international leadership building the right teams to achieve international success.

Xandi: That must be some leadership. Look. Hes even inspired them to kiss that metal cup. Dont they normally drink from cups?

Zudig: Youre right. But thats called sweet smell of success. Any more questions Xandi?

Xandi: Er, yes. In yesterdays lesson about commerce, you talked to us about how earthlings sell their products and services to each other. You told us that those companies that succeeded were those that achieved an international mindset, right?
Zudig: Yes, so whats the point Xandi?

Xandi: Well, I dont understand. If they achieve this level of success when kicking leather globoids around the pitch, and thats how the onlookers cheer them on, then why are leaders and shareholders not more open to building international teams? Surely, brand to the company is just as important as the national flags that are waved by spectators?
Zudig: Thats right.

Xandi: And surely, the teams that work to build that brand will best come from the markets they are selling into right? And surely, business leaders would by definition be leaders from other countries, experienced in managing international teams? So, why doesnt it happen more often? Better awareness of international markets equals better international performance? I rest my case!

Zudig the Grand Master, is preparing his students for a years internship on planet Earth to learn about our ways. Todays lesson is about international leadership. Xandi, a bright but rebellious leadership student challenges Zudig. Eavesdropping on the conversation, we hear.

Xandi: Hmmm. So how do they celebrate winning?

Zudig: Oh, that half of the amphitheatre with the same colors as the man whos just put the leather globoid into the net, jump up and down, take off their top, jump on their heads, and wave arms about, make thrusting movements and then sit back down.

Xandi. What, just like those players in red and white have done?

Zudig. Thats right Xandi. Theyre from Zod.

Xandi. So why do they do that Zudig?

Zudig. Because the leader of the Zod team has successfully inspired them to score a win over Deng, the players in blue.

Xandi: Ah! I see. So the captain of the Zod team is that man over there, sitting down, not even playing hes the inspiration of it all?

Zudig:Thats right.

Xandi: But hes not even from Zod he has a Deng name! Why he is inspiring his players to play against the Dengs?

Zudig: Because that crowd over there with their faces painted the same color as the team from Zod have chosen him, and the players are happy to be led by such a leader.

Xandi: But the players are not even from Zod. Some are from Zupit, two are from Engis, three are from Bidu and the rest are from Midon!

Zudig: Yep. He has chosen his international team well, all experienced players who know the tactics of the other side. For that, he has rewarded them well, has inspired them to achieve great things, and knows they will deliver great results.

Xandi: OK, so let me get this. This crowd from Zod, who has just spend a whole day traveling to Midon, which is not even the home of the Dengs, have their faces painted, are jumping up and down, taking off their tops, jumping on their head, waving their arms about, making thrusting movements, are happy? And theyre happy because the team in red and white, who represent Zod, but are not from Zod but from Deng, Zupit, Engis, Bidu and Midon have kicked a leather globoid into a fishing net, have scored a win over the Dengs, - and all this is inspired by that man sitting down over there, who is not from Zod either, but from Deng, but is elected by the crowds with painted faces from Zod to represent them, because he is the man who can provide inspirational leadership to the men from Deng, Zupit, Engis, Bidu and Midon, who are very happy to play for Zod and score a win over Deng, because they have a great inspirational leader, and have been well motivated and rewarded?

Zudig: Uuuuuh! Yep, thats right. Its called international leadership building the right teams to achieve international success.

Xandi: That must be some leadership. Look. Hes even inspired them to kiss that metal cup. Dont they normally drink from cups?

Zudig: Youre right. But thats called sweet smell of success. Any more questions Xandi?

Xandi: Er, yes. In yesterdays lesson about commerce, you talked to us about how earthlings sell their products and services to each other. You told us that those companies that succeeded were those that achieved an international mindset, right?
Zudig: Yes, so whats the point Xandi?

Xandi: Well, I dont understand. If they achieve this level of success when kicking leather globoids around the pitch, and thats how the onlookers cheer them on, then why are leaders and shareholders not more open to building international teams? Surely, brand to the company is just as important as the national flags that are waved by spectators?
Zudig: Thats right.

Xandi: And surely, the teams that work to build that brand will best come from the markets they are selling into right? And surely, business leaders would by definition be leaders from other countries, experienced in managing international teams? So, why doesnt it happen more often? Better awareness of international markets equals better international performance? I rest my case!

Trevor J. O'Hara, is the founder and president of Renarc, a consultancy that specializes in helping firms with international expansion. O'Hara is a seasoned internationalist, having lived and worked internationally for the last twenty years. Educated in Dublin, Oxford, Paris and Berlin, and with fluency in German, French and Spanish, O'Hara now speaks and writes internationally on how to achieve global success.